Environment
Issue: Issues like climate change, pollution, deforestation, and global warming need to be taken seriously to ensure future generations will not suffer due to a lack of action today.
Solutions:
- Investments in clean energy solutions must continue, and explorations must be made into new ways to reduce our negative impact on the environment.
- Motivate people to get off fossil fuel use by using subsidies and incentives to create a green energy mindset and modernize operations.
- Remain in a strong leadership position in the Paris Accord to set standards for climate controls to combat climate change.
- Make companies responsible for cleaning up their pollution and provide them with the knowledge base to help with resources.
- Use federal agencies to assist with holistic reviews on water and air quality and utilize their knowledge to help corporations be better climate partners.
Recent news
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) has filed public comment to the state of Georgia urging it to reject a requested mining permit near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
Why it matters: The Okefenokee is the largest blackwater wetland in North America, and the mine’s opponents warn it could damage to the swamp’s ecosystem.
Twin Pines, the Alabama mining company behind the project, maintains there will be no effect on the swamp and points to economic benefits for the Southeast Georgia region.
ATLANTA — Industrial facilities released more than 5 million pounds of toxic chemicals into Georgia’s waterways in 2020, putting Georgia in 13th place nationwide, according to a new report released by Environment Georgia.
Georgia is also one of the top 10 states with the highest pollution loads for chemicals linked to cancer as well as developmental.
Two power plants in Effingham County were listed in the top 10 “dirtiest” power plants in Georgia.
The McIntosh Combined Cycle Facility and the Effingham Energy Facility were named as top carbon dioxide emitters, according to the Atlanta-based Environment Georgia Research & Policy Center.